Blogs that make money: how to start yours and cash in fast

With the rise of online media, and online services in general, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of exciting ways to make money through the Internet.  

One particularly interesting way to start raking in the cash online is through blogs. However, there are so many blogs out there that it can be difficult to know where to begin if you want to stand out from the crowd.  

That’s where we come in!

We’ve rounded up 10 types of blogs perfect for anyone looking to start earning online. Plus, we’ll dive into real-life examples of successful blogs that have cracked the code on monetization. By exploring these, you’ll get a clear picture of what it takes to turn your blog into a money-making machine. 

So let’s begin our journey into the world of blogs so that you too can become part of an ever-growing community of money makers online.  

What is an online blog? 

This might seem like an obvious question. However, it’s crucial to pin down the exact definition of an online blog if you want to take it seriously as a potential source of income.  

An online blog can be an entire website or it can be a certain section within a website that deals with content. The content published within a blog is usually in the form of easy-to-read posts.

Posts can contain any kind of content, from written articles – both long and short form – to video content or simple images. It all depends on the creator's choices.  

That being said, certain blogs lend themselves to particular kinds of content. For instance, a cooking blog works well with a combination of written, image, and video content.

By including written recipes with images of exact ingredients alongside a video showing the basics, you’re giving your audience a fully fleshed-out experience. You’re also appealing to a broader range of people, including those with different learning styles.  

Blogs tend to be updated regularly, particularly the more popular, monetized ones. If you’re planning on creating your own monetized blog, be prepared to keep things current and stay committed so your audience is always up to date.  

The 10 best types of blogs for making money 

Now that we have a firm grasp on what exactly an online blog is, let’s look at the blogs best suited for making money online.  

We’ll go through the ins and outs of the most lucrative blog types to help you on your way. It doesn’t matter if you’re a budding entrepreneur looking to get involved in the blog market or a professional considering bringing their existing business online. You’ll find something to suit your preferences with our list of blog types.

Once we have looked at the ten blog types and some successful examples of each kind of blog, we’ll also examine the methods by which you can make money via an online blog. Let’s get started! 

Health and fitness 

The health and fitness niche is a popular blog type – and one that can be monetized – for various reasons. Fitness is not simply a topic for the sportiest and most athletic among us. It’s a topic that everyone can relate to, as it goes hand in hand with general health when it comes to living a happy and fulfilling life.  

Now more than ever, people are aware of the health risks caused by lack of exercise and unhealthy habits. It’s vital to balance fitness and health in a way that suits you best to avoid dealing with long-term health problems.  

That’s where the health and fitness blog comes in. Not only does it give people a place to come together and share information about health and fitness, but it also provides a space for diverse content. Some of the standard content found in these blogs includes exercise routines, healthy recipes, and nutrition advice.  

Some blogs may cater to more advanced and experienced fitness and health enthusiasts, while others target beginners who need more guidance. Blogs that offer information to a broader range of people can be a more lucrative idea in the long run. By producing content for beginners and experienced folk alike, you are casting a larger net, potentially bringing in a lot more people.  

With the everyday person becoming more health conscious, it’s not a surprise that health and fitness blogs are one of the most popular when it comes to making money.  

Example: Joe’s Blog on The Body Coach website 

British fitness coach and television personality Joe Wicks became a household name in the health and fitness sphere during the pandemic. His workouts for kids gave those confined to their homes the chance to get in some exercise despite not being able to attend PE classes at school.  

It’s no surprise, then, that he has his own website, which includes a “Joe’s Blog” section. This blog covers everything from recipes to top tips for maintaining fitness motivation.  

Joe advertises his The Body Coach app on the website too, which is another excellent money-making venture to share within a blog. 

Financial 

Managing money and maintaining finances is something we all need to learn how to do if we want to become fully functioning members of society. Despite this, it can be incredibly difficult to know where to begin when it comes to learning the ins and outs of finances. That’s where finance blogs come in.  

Financial blogs can include all sorts of information, with most offering a broad range of content to appeal to experts and novices alike. Some common features of a finance blog can include tips on building and maintaining personal finances, economic analysis, guides on investments, and budgeting. Financial blogs might also offer financial news and updates.  

Blogs that revolve around money and finance will always be relevant. The economic climate is constantly shifting and everyday people often struggle to navigate it.

These types of blogs usually offer a simplified breakdown of information that tends to be confusing and complex for those of us who aren’t financial experts.  

Money will always be a trying topic for the vast majority of us. As long as there is money to be had, saved, spent, invested, and everything in between, these kinds of blogs will continue to dominate in terms of popularity.  

Example: Mr. Money Mustache  

This is a financial blog that offers a tongue-in-cheek perspective from an experienced, successful early retiree.  

Blogger and former software engineer Pete Adeny runs Mr. Money Mustache. He was able to retire at age 30 due to his financial sensibilities and techniques, which he now shares via the blog. He offers tips on financial independence and frugal living, all within a personable and easy-to-read blog.  

Adeny’s monetization of his blog isn’t a huge focus, but he does use affiliate marketing along with sales of personal projects, such as sales of his book. His experience and attitude have built him a supportive community too, which can make all the difference when it comes to blog monetization.  

Lifestyle 

As the name suggests, lifestyle blogs can contain information on anything and everything connected to general living. The vast array of topics found in these blogs means that they can reach a broader audience, though the most popular blogs will narrow down their niches.  

Common topics found in the more popular lifestyle blogs include interior decoration, personal stories, cooking, and travel. The diversity of lifestyle blogs is part of what makes them so popular. The broad range of topics covered can appeal to all sorts of people, leading to a large audience if done right. This in turn can lead to plenty of monetization opportunities.  

Example: Cup of Jo 

Founded in 2007 by Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo is a highly popular lifestyle blog that attracts more than a million unique visitors and four million page views per month. From culture to parenting, style, and travel, the site covers all the major topics that fall under the lifestyle category.  

This is a particularly respectable lifestyle blog, as a percentage of the profits made go to specific charities, including Save the Children and Greenpeace.  

Pets 

Pet blogs are another prominent, money-making online venture, and it's easy to see why. Our furry friends mean the world to us, so of course, we want to be able to care for them as efficiently and appropriately as possible. Pet blogs can be instrumental in helping new pet owners find their footing, but they can also be a handy resource for experienced pet owners.  

Pet-related blogs can include anything and everything there is to know about pets and caring for them. From the best kinds of food for particular dog breeds to the best ways to entertain a hyperactive kitten, pet blogs offer a variety of content.  

Much like some of the other blogs we have mentioned, pet-related blogs will always be a relevant topic. As long as people have pets, there will be a need for pet blogs. Monetization will always be relatively easy to incorporate into pet blogs too, as there are all sorts of ways to do this, such as selling pet-related products.  

Example: The Spruce Pets 

The Spruce Pets is a great example of a blog that does a lot of things incredibly well. The blog focuses on all manner of pets, including cats and dogs, but also birds, horses, fish, and more.  

This vet-reviewed blog has a ton of content. This includes medically reviewed articles, training and behavioral tips, and fun, engaging articles, such as lists of potential dog names for new owners. The Spruce Pets also sells a range of pet products, adding to their impressive monetization strategies.  

Travel 

Travel is another popular topic of choice for blogging. The very nature of traveling and seeing the world is universal, so it’s clear to see why these kinds of blogs can become so lucrative.  

The human desire to explore our world makes it so it isn’t difficult to draw in plenty of eyes to a particularly well-made travel blog. These blogs inspire an audience to go places they may have only dreamt of. Not only that, but they can also allow those who don’t have the means to travel to feel that connection with a place they have never been.  

From a practical perspective, travel blogs can give people the necessary information if they plan on traveling to a certain area. First-hand experience and advice can be extremely helpful for those traveling to places they haven’t been before. This kind of invaluable advice – particularly from trustworthy travel bloggers – is a significant part of what makes travel blogs so popular. 

Example: Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site 

Founded by Matthew Kepnes in 2008, Nomadic Matt is one of the most popular travel blogs. Matt covers various topics in the blog, but his main focus is helping fellow travelers discover how to travel on a budget.  

The practical advice combined with his in-depth guides on travel and helpful hacks makes the blog well worth it for budding and experienced travelers. 

Fashion  

Fashion is an industry that has always managed to bring in big numbers. It is no surprise that blogs related to fashion are a popular topic in the blogging world. Not only that, but they are also a blog type that can make a fair amount of money.  

In terms of content, fashion blogs can include features to appeal to casual fashion enthusiasts, industry experts, and hardcore fashion fans alike. Styling tips, news, updates on the world of high-end fashion, personal outfit choices, and recommendations are just a few popular ideas for fashion blog posts.   

Shopping hauls can also be a key feature of fashion blogs, particularly blogs that want their audience to make the most out of their clothing budget. Hauls are a great way to engage audiences, allowing them to see certain clothes directly and learn more about their cost. Product reviews in fashion blogs are popular for the same reason, but they also give the audience a chance to get a first-hand review of particular products.  

Example: The Blonde Salad 

This Italian fashion blog was established in 2009 by Chiara Ferragni, and it has grown to become one of the most influential fashion blogs in the world.  

The Blonde Salad is a great example of how organically a blog can grow when the creator evolves their content as time passes. Beginning as a standard fashion blog, The Blonde Salad grew to become a fleshed-out platform for digital media. As well as that, the blog also evolved into a business platform dealing with ecommerce.  

The blog still stays true to its fashion roots though, often covering high-end fashion events and designers. The content is fashion-forward, but there are plenty of other topics on display as well, such as technology. 

Beauty and cosmetics 

Beauty and cosmetics are often thrown in with fashion when discussing popular blog types. However, despite the two going hand in hand, beauty and makeup are still very much their own topic.  

Beauty and cosmetics blogs are undoubtedly similar to fashion, and they might attract the same or a similar audience. That being said, the uniqueness of this kind of blog should not be underestimated.  

Popular topics for posts with these kinds of blogs include skincare routines, tutorials for makeup application, makeup reviews, and a breakdown of the latest trends in the world of cosmetics.  

Beauty blogs can be incredibly helpful for those wanting to learn how best to apply makeup but aren’t sure where to start. Not only do these blogs tend to include tutorials – and sometimes, beginner-specific tutorials – but they also offer recommendations. This kind of resource is invaluable for a beauty newcomer, but it can also be helpful for experienced beauty enthusiasts too.

Example: LisaEldrige.com 

LisaEldridge.com is the website for well-known British makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. The blog section of the website features a range of content, including articles on skincare, makeup, and the history of cosmetics.  

Despite being a makeup professional, Lisa’s blog is easily accessible to beginners and fellow professionals alike. She also has a range of products, which is sure to increase the monetization element.  

Parenting 

Parenting is one of the toughest things in the world, so of course, there are plenty of blogs out there on the subject. The popularity of the parent blog sphere stems from the need for sincere, honest advice and suggestions about all things parenting. Not only that, but these blogs can provide supportive communities to parents and caregivers during difficult times.  

As well as offering emotional support, parenting blogs can feature a wealth of practical advice. From tips on how to get newborns to sleep to advice on dealing with a moody teen, there’s no end to the useful content. 

Example: The Pragmatic Parent 

This well-established parenting blog is all about actionable and practical advice for parents who are struggling with the difficulties that come with raising young children. The blog aims to provide parents with the tools needed to make positive parenting choices.  

As well as that, The Pragmatic Parent also offers activity ideas for kids for birthdays and holidays, adding an arts and crafts element to the blog too.  

Food and cooking 

Food is something that we can’t live without, but there are many different ways that we can incorporate it into our lives. Because of this, food blogs can be incredibly versatile. They can be simple, complex, or somewhere in between.  

There is also a variety of content found in this kind of blog. Some examples of popular types of food blog posts include recipes, cooking classes, meal prep pointers, and food budget help. There’s something for everyone from any background, making for a versatile blog topic.   

As well as being something that we all need to live, food culture in general has gained significant popularity in the online world. This surge in attention has led to food blogging becoming a particularly lucrative choice.  

Example: Home Budget Bytes 

Founded in 2009, Home Budget Bytes is a great example of a food blog with a particular niche. As the name suggests, this blog is all about creating delicious meals on a budget. This is an incredibly popular food niche, as managing meals on a budget is something that resonates with millions of people worldwide.  

Home Budget Bytes offers something for everyone, as budgeting is a useful skill no matter how much disposable income you have. Whether it's simple recipes for tasty meals, breakdowns of ingredient costs, or inexpensive, cost-effective alternatives, there is a huge range of content with this blog.  

Business and marketing 

Last but not least is the business and marketing blog, which is usually aimed at a specific audience. The target audience for this kind of content is those looking to get ahead in business. This can include budding entrepreneurs all the way up to experienced and successful business owners.  

These kinds of blogs often offer tips and tricks for business and marketing, but they also tend to focus on related topics. These topics can include ecommerce, sales, analytics, and social media marketing, to name a few.  

There is a wide range of topics to cover in the business and marketing sphere. This can include snappy articles, infographics, video courses, and podcasts. The best-performing blogs can condense the often overwhelming nature of the business world into easy-to-manage content.  

The very nature of business and marketing lends itself to monetization, so it’s no surprise that some of the highest-performing blogs are business-related. One particularly high-flying business and marketing blog is TechCrunch (tech-based, but also focuses on innovating the business side of the tech world). Another example would be the Smart Passive Income blog (passive income focused along with entrepreneurship and online businesses).  

Example: Whop Blog 

The Whop Blog offers a range of content on various topics surrounding marketing, business, and how to make money online. The blog has a particular business section, as shown in the image above. There is also a strong focus on ecommerce in the Whop Blog, as well as guidance when it comes to creating your own digital products to take to the online market.  

For a little bit of everything when it comes to building an online business and brand – and marketing it – the Whop Blog is the perfect choice.  

How exactly can you make money blogging?

So there you have ten examples of the most lucrative blog topics, but how do these blogs go about making their money? We touched on this a little bit when talking about each blog, but let’s take a closer look at the most common methods of monetizing a blog.  

Advertising 

There are a few different ways to advertise with a blog, such as via display ads or native advertising. Ad networks such as Google AdSense or AdThrive can be particularly useful for high-traffic blogs.  

Affiliate marketing 

Blog creators can sign up for affiliate programs provided by various networks or brands, each of which has their own terms and rates. Once part of an affiliate program, bloggers will be given specific tracking links for certain goods or services. These links will be used on a blog and the blogger will receive a commission when the links are followed and purchases are made.   

Subscriptions and memberships 

For those who create unique content that they want to sell to their audience, setting up memberships or subscriptions is a great monetization option. Bloggers can establish their own rates and set up a monthly or yearly fee for users to gain access to exclusive content. This setup is particularly popular with bloggers that offer unique content or services. 

Sponsored content 

Sponsored content is a little similar to affiliate links in that they come about via partnerships with certain companies or brands. Rather than offering links for their audience to use, sponsored content revolves around the blogger creating posts that incorporate the service or goods in question.  

Selling physical products 

Bloggers that have products that they wish to sell –be they physical or digital – can do so on their blog to make a profit. For physical products, platforms such as Big Cartel and Shopify can be used to create an online shop area on your blog. This makes aspects such as inventory management and payment processing much easier.  

Selling digital products 

Digital items can include products such as courses, eBooks, or software. There are platforms out there that make it easier to ensure the safe delivery of digital products to your audience, including the aforementioned Shopify.  

Top tips for making money with an online blog 

There are a lot of elements to consider when it comes to monetizing an online blog. That being said, there are a few key factors that can put you one step ahead of the competition.  

🧑‍💻Be the best blogger you can be: Create the best possible content for your audience rather than simply churning out post after post hoping to get more views and clicks. By creating engaging content, you can ensure your staying power and build a positive relationship with your audience.  

📱Make the most of social media: Integrate your social media with your blog as much as possible. This not only leads to more engagement but can send more traffic your way as well. Some particularly good choices when it comes to social media to integrate with a blog include Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.  

💻Optimize, optimize, optimize!: Search engine optimization is the key to getting more eyes on your blog. Take some time to get to grips with SEO tools and how they work so you can start implementing them for yourself.  

🐕Opt for a popular niche: If you have a strong interest in any of the popular blog types – like the ones we mentioned above – create a blog focused on one of those topics. That being said, nothing is stopping you from making another blog on a less popular topic if that’s what you’re interested in. However, if monetization is your primary goal, go for something that is a little more mainstream.  

Monetize your blog now with whop 

If you’re looking for the best possible way to start monetizing your blog, opt for Whop. Whop offers plenty of choices for monetization, especially for those looking to sell their digital products.  

For example, let's say you have a recipe blog. You can create your own whop, which is your internet hub, and build it out with what you need to start monetizing that blog. You could build a members-only community, sell recipe ebooks, create and sell a cooking course and even host live video cook-alongs, all from your whop!

Or, maybe you're into fitness. With whop, you can create your private fitness group, sell workout guides, create a fitness course and host live sessions.

You can funnel your blog readers to your whop or even host your blog in your whop. Then, just add payments to part or all of your whop, on a once-off or subscription basis.

Everything can be done under one roof, from creation to promotion, all the way to selling. There are also tons of ways to build and maintain a strong community with Whop, allowing you to form bonds with customers while making money.  

One of the great things about Whop is that there are no pesky subscription fees. Instead, Whop will take a small cut when you make a sale. No sudden, unexpected fees and no fuss! The helpful user interface combined with the strong focus on building communities and top-tier marketing tools makes Whop the number one choice for blog monetization.